"Bettor 


MINUTE  /v 


NOV  221917 


COUNSEL  AND  ENCOURAGEMENT 

ADDRESSED  TO  ITS  MEMBERS, 


YEARLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS, 


HELD   IN  PHILADELPHIA, 


Fourth  month,  1867, 


PHILADELPHIA: 

WILLIA  M    II .   PILE,    P  R I  N  TER, 
No.  422  Walnut  Street. 

1867. 


MINUTE  (     NOV   2  131 

COUNSEL  AND  ENCOURAGEMENT 

ADDRESSED  TO  ITS  MEMBERS, 


YEARLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS, 

HELD   IN  PHILADELPHIA, 
Fourth  month,  1867. 


WILLIAM    H.   PILE,  PRINTER, 


MINUTE. 


Having,  at  times  during  the  several  sittings 
of  the  Yearly  Meeting  been  favored  with  the 
overshadowing  of  the  blessed  Head  of  the 
Church,  the  hearts  of  many  have  been  contrited 
under  a  sense  of  that  mercy  which  is  both 
ancient  and  new,  and  a  deep  felt  religious  con- 
cern has  been  begotten  on  account  of  apparent 
deficiencies,  evidencing  among  many  of  our  mem- 
bers an  undue  pursuit  of  and  attachment  to  the 
things  that  pertain  to  this  life  only.  There  has 
been  felt  to  be  cause  for  an  humbling  acknow- 
ledgment that  we,  as  a  people,  fall  far  short  of  a 
full  exemplification  in  life  and  conduct  of  that 
holy  religion  which  is  designed  to  bring  man  out 
of  a  state  of  nature  wherein  his  treasures  and 
his  enjoyments  are  of  the  earth,  earthy,  into  the 


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glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God,  whose  dura- 
ble riches  are  laid  up  in  heaven,  and  whose  de- 
light is  in  communion  with  their  Creator  through 
the  aid  of  the  Spirit  of  our  holy  Mediator  in  the 
heart,  and  in  obeying  his  divine  law  written 
there.  With  this  conviction,  an  earnest,  affec- 
tionate travail  has  been  raised  after  a  more  per- 
fect redemption  from  the  spirit  of  the  world,  and 
a  more  general  devotion  to  that  watchful,  self- 
denying  life  which  is  inseparable  from  a  true 
disciple  of  Christ. 

We  cannot  doubt  that  the  Lord  has  preserved 
within  the  professing  Church  a  noble  band  of 
witnesses  to  the  spirituality  of  the  Gospel  and 
to  the  transforming  power  of  his  grace.  These, 
whatever  their  profession,  and  whether  con- 
spicuous in  good  works  or  more  obscure,  are  the 
true  Israel  of  God,  whose  circumcision  is  that  of 
the  heart,  in  the  Spirit  and  not  in  the  letter, 
whose  praise  is  not  of  men  but  of  God.  But 
there  is  abundant  evidence  that  a  large  portion 
of  those  who  claim  the  name  of  Christians,  are 
satisfied  with  an  outside  performance  of  rites 
and  ceremonies,  and  substitute  obedience  to  the 
moral  law  and  works  of  their  own  righteousness, 
for  submission  to  the  crucifying  power  of  the 
cross  of  Christ,  and  walking  in  that  strait  and 


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narrow  way  in  which  alone  is  found  the  flock  of 
his  companions. 

Thus,  there  are  influences  operating  in  the 
present  day.  both  within  and  without  the  pale 
of  our  Society,  the  tendency  of  which  is  to  draw 
the  members  from  the  simplicity  and  spirituality 
of  our  Christian  profession,  and  from  a  faithful 
and  consistent  support  of  the  principles  and  tes- 
timonies of  the  gospel  as  always  held  by  us,  into 
a  nearer  conformity  to  the  religion,  the  worship, 
and  ways  of  the  world.  These  influences  are 
apparent  in  the  same  disposition  to  shun  the 
daily  self-denial  and  cross-bearing  belonging  to 
the  Christian;  in  the  effort  to  reduce  religion 
very  much  to  a  formal  and  intellectual  work, 
which  the  unaided  powers  of  man  may  originate 
or  promote;  to  smooth  and  widen  the  path  to 
salvation,  so  as  to  make  it  more  easy  and  at- 
tractive to  the  tastes  and  inclinations  of  the  un- 
regenerate  mind;  and  to  substitute  works  of  a 
benevolent  or  ostensibly  religious  character,  for- 
lowly  watchful  waiting,  in  silent  introversion,  at 
the  feet  of  Jesus,  to  be  taught  of  Him,  in  whom 
are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  know- 
ledge, and  who  only  can  savingly  instruct  in  the 
things  which  belong  to  the  soul's  peace. 

Minds  which  have  been  favored  with  the  pre- 


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cious,  tendering  visitations  of  the  Lord's  Spirit, 
have  been  turned  from  the  vanities  of  the  world 
to  seek  the  durable  riches  and  righteousness  of 
heaven,  and  in  inward,  silent  prostration  to  bear 
the  operation  of  the  Spirit  of  judgment  and  burn- 
ing, to  purify  from  the  pollution  of  sin,  and  to 
create  them  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus,  may, 
it  is  to  be  feared,  have  had  their  attention 
diverted  from  this  indispensable  work  in  them- 
selves, to  their  serious  injury,  by  being  per- 
suaded that  it  is  necessary  they  should  at  once 
become  active  in  undertakings  professedly  de- 
signed to  promote  the  cause  of  religion ;  while 
some  who  may  be  a  little  further  advanced,  have 
been  dwarfed  and  withered  by  being  urged  into 
performances  to  which  the  Master  had  not  called 
them;  for  which  they  had  not  undergone  the 
requisite  preparation,  and  which  were  mainly 
attributable  to  the  unsanctified  activity  of  the 
natural  will. 

The  awakened  mind  is  readily  influenced  by 
the  desire  to  be  doing  something  for  Christ's 
cause,  and  unless  it  watches  diligently  unto 
prayer,  in  the  Light  of  the  Lord,  the  will  of  man 
prompts  this  desire  into  unbidden  activity ;  takes 
pleasure  in  it;  gradually  dims  the  spiritual  vision, 
and  leads  to  the  substitution  of  these  formal  ser- 


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vices,  for  the  patient  abiding  under  the  heart- 
changing  and  crucifying  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
the  soul,  which  is  in  danger  of  settling  down  at 
ease  in  them.  We  should  ever  bear  in  mind  the 
words  of  our  dear  Lord,  "Without  me  ye  can  do 
nothing;"  and  also  that  we  are  told  such  "as  kin- 
dle a  fire,  compass  themselves  about  with  sparks, 
walk  in  the  light  of  their  fire,  and  in  the  sparks 
that  they  have  kindled,  shall  have  this  of  the 
Lord's  hand;  that  they  shall  lie  down  in  sorrow.' 

In  the  feeling  of  Christian  love  and  interest 
for  all  our  dear  Friends,  and  especially  for  the 
younger  class,  we  tenderly  desire  that  we  may 
all  diligently  watch  against  these  plausible  and 
delusive  tendencies,  and  strive  to  dwell  much 
inward  with  Christ  Jesus,  in  reverent,  silent  re- 
tirement from  the  many  alluring  voices  that  are 
abroad,  seeking  above  all  to  be  taught  of  Him 
who  is  the  only  saving  Teacher,  and  who  will 
not  fail  to  give  true  peace  and  rest  to  all  who 
come  to  Him,  take  His  yoke  upon  them,  and 
learn  of  Him,  who  is  meek  and  lowly  of  heart. 

Thus,  the  work  of  sanctification  will  be  carried 
on;  all  the  preparatory  baptisms  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  of  fire  will  be  endured;  and  when  the 
period  arrives  in  which  the  Lord  sees  meet  that 
any  should  engage  in  more  public  or  active  ser- 


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vice,  His  call  and  command  will  be  distinctly  and 
intelligibly  heard,  pointing  out  what,  and  when, 
and  where;  and  He  will  vouchsafe  his  own  wis- 
dom and  strength  to  perform  faithfully  whatever 
He  requires,  and  cause  His  blessing  to  rest  upon 
it;  and  without  these,  all  our  efforts  to  advance 
His  cause  must  prove  unavailing. 

We  would  encourage  the  humble,  diffident 
children  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  are 
brought  under  His  preparing  hand,  to  yield 
themselves,  in  the  unquestioning  obedience  of 
faith,  to  the  gentle  movings  of  his  Spirit,  what- 
ever service  it  may  point  to,  remembering  that 
the  gracious  Shepherd  of  the  sheep  has  declared 
that,  when  He  putteth  forth  his  own,  He  goeth 
before  them,  and  they  follow  Him,  for  they  know 
his  voice.  And  though  you  may  deeply  feel 
your  own  weakness  and  unworthiness,  and  be 
ready  to  tremble  at  the  prospect  of  engaging  in 
his  service;  yet,  as  you  keep  humble,  looking 
singly  to  Him  for  help  and  direction,  you  will 
thankfully  experience  the  truth  of  His  precious 
words:  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee — my 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness." 

In  the  progress  of  general  improvement  the 
press  has  become  a  powerful  agency  for  spread- 
ing abroad  a  knowledge  of  the  truths  contained 


0 


in  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  but  it  is  not  less  con- 
tinuously active  in  disseminating  moral  poison, 
and  also  plausible  views  and  speculations  re- 
specting the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  well  calculated  to  bewilder  and 
mislead.  Among  the  latter,  are  publications 
both  in  periodicals  and  in  other  forms,  incul- 
cating, in  some,  boldlv  and  unreservedly,  in 
others  more  covertly  and  insidiously,  the  opinion 
that  all  that  is  necessary  to  ensure  salvation  is 
an  intellectual  belief — upon  the  authority  of  holy 
Scripture,  that  Christ  has  paid  the  penalty  for 
our  sins,  and  has  covered  our  frailty  and  short- 
comings with  the  robe  of  his  righteousness ; 
keeping  altogether  out  of  view  the  necessity  of 
repentance,  the  washing  of  regeneration,  and 
that  saving  faith  in  the  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world,  is  the  gift  of  the 
Father  to  those  whom  He  draws  to  his  dear  Son. 

We  affectionately  caution  all  our  members 
against  receiving  into  their  families  or  giving 
currency  to  either  books  or  papers  calculated  to 
lower  the  standard  of  Christian  morality,  or 
which  advocate  such  erroneous  doctrines,  fully 
believing  the  latter  are  calculated  to  minister  to 
the  natural  propensity  to  shun  the  cross  and  to 
betray  the  soul  into  carnal  security. 


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The  preciousness  of  our  testimony  to  the  pre- 
rogative of  the  Head  of  the  Church  to  dispense 
to  whomsoever  He  will,  the  gift  of  Gospel  minis- 
try, and  against  all  ministry  originating  or  per- 
formed in  the  will  and  wisdom  of  man,  has  been 
renewedly  felt  at  this  time ;  having  been  revived 
by  accounts  received  that  a  few  of  our  members 
have  not  been  sufficiently  on  their  guard  against 
lowering  its  importance  and  retarding  its  spread. 
Let  us  ever  bear  in  remembrance,  dear  Friends, 
that  as  it  is  only  under  the  immediate  influence 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  acceptable  worship  can 
be  performed,  so  it  is  alone,  when  by  the  trans- 
forming power  of  his  grace  the  Head  of  the 
Church  has  prepared  any  for  his  service,  and 
bestowed  a  special  gift  therefor,  that  true  gospel 
ministry  can  be  exercised;  and  this  not  in  their 
own  time  and  way,  but  when  and  where  He 
freshly  qualifies  and  appoints.  Those  who  are 
thus  called  and  commissioned,  as  they  wait  on 
their  holy  Leader,  find  they  have  nothing  of 
their  own  to  glory  in,  for,  at  his  command,  and 
as  He  gives  the  matter,  a  necessity  is  laid  upon 
them;  yea,  woe  is  unto  them  if  they  preach  not 
the  gospel.  Hence  they  are  bound  freely  to 
dispense  that  which  they  also  have  freely  re- 
ceived, looking  for  and  accepting  no  other  reward 


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than  that  given  by  their  Master  for  obeying  his 
commands. 

Fallible  man  has  no  right  to  take  this  sacred 
office  on  himself,  unless  called  of  God,  and  no 
system  of  study,  or  learning,  or  prescribed  form 
of  ordination,  can  confer  the  qualifications  for 
performing  its  solemn  and  responsible  functions. 
May  all  our  members  be  incited  to  increased 
watchfulness  and  care  in  reference  to  this  pre- 
cious testimony  for  which  our  worthy  prede- 
cessors suffered  deeply,  and  which  we  believe  is 
still  intimately  connected  with  the  welfare  of  our 
Society.  We  would  also  encourage  them  to  a 
faithful  attendance  of  all  our  religious  meetings, 
striving  therein  for  ability  to  perform  that  wor- 
ship which  is  in  Spirit  and  in  Truth. 

Amid  the  discouragements  and  deficiencies 
which  are  apparent  in  our  beloved  Society,  we 
are  comforted  in  the  evidences  afforded,  that  the 
Lord's  love  and  life-giving  presence  are  not  with- 
drawn; but  that,  in  his  long  forbearing  mercy, 
He  is  waiting  to  bless  us  and  to  do  us  good. 
Bowed  under  a  grateful  sense  of  his  unmerited 
goodness,  we  earnestly  desire  that  our  love  and 
obedience  to  Him  may  increase  and  abound;  and 
that,  under  the  tendering  and  cementing  influence 
of  this  love,  we  may  be  banded  together  as  breth- 


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ren  in  a  fervent  engagement  to  encourage  and 
help  one  another  in  rallying  to  the  pure  spiritual 
doctrines,  and  the  precious  testimonies  of  the 
Gospel,  which  our  religious  Society  was  raised 
up  to  proclaim  afresh  to  the  world,  and  in  a 
steadfast  endeavor  faithfully  to  live  up  to  them. 
Then,  we  believe,  that  He  who  gathered  us  to 
be  a  people,  will,  in  tender  love  and  mercy,  turn 
his  hand  upon  us,  purely  purge  away  our  dross, 
and  take  away  all  our  tin;  and  will  restore  to 
us  judges  as  at  the  first,  and  counsellors  as  at 
the  beginning;  and  cause  us  to  be  called  the  city 
of  righteousness,  the  faithful  city — even  a  city 
set  upon  a  hill  that  cannot  be  hid;  that  others, 
seeing  our  good  works,  may  glorify  our  Father 
who  is  in  heaven. 

Extracted  from  the  Minutes. 

Joseph  Scattergood, 
Clerk  to  the  Meeting  this  year. 


till 


4 

J 


